Brief Hiatus!

      I am taking a brief hiatus from writing and gearing up for the Write Tribe's "Festival of Words".  I hope you are well and look forward to seeing you all the first week of September!!

Vacation

It is the 8th day of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and NaBloPoMo and I am still in the game writing away!  This post is in response to this week's blogging prompt from the GBE2.

      I haven’t gone anywhere for vacation since my honeymoon and that was 16 years ago.  My husband and I went away to the Lake Erie Islands for the weekend and had a great time.  Since then our vacations have been more stay-cations than anything else.

       Any time my husband is home and out of his semi-truck it feels like a vacation to him and to us.  He came home the 3^rd of July and has been home 5 days.  It was nice to have him home.  We got a lot done and enjoyed going out to eat, swimming in the pool, going shopping, and watching fireworks.  It was hectic at times and relaxing at others.  As always his time here goes quickly and already it is time for him to go back to work.

      These days we have 4 dogs and a cat so even if we had the extra money to go on a big vacation we would have no one to watch our animals.  That is one reason why we never stray too far from home. If I could pack them up and take them all with me, I would.  Actually we have taken the dogs with us camping before.   If I

could go anywhere, I would love to take my kids to Disney World because I know they would love it.  Of course the list of all the places I would love to visit stretch into infinity and beyond!  I dream about those places and imagine what they would be like envying those lucky souls that get to throw caution to the winds and just go leaving their bills to accumulate until they return.

       There are so many places I would like to see and explore!  There are so many sites I would love to see!  There are some days when I am just happy to get out of the house let alone to get completely away from here.  Funny thing though, if I did get away it wouldn’t be long before I would long for home.  While I crave the excitement and change of pace a vacation would offer, I am also content to stay home.  Sometime, someday, in some way I will get away from here and have the vacation of my life.  I just know it!!  

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

      After a year of blogging almost everyday I am taking a break from the internet to enjoy time with my family to celebrate Christmas and New Years.  I am delighted that my husband and children will all be home to enjoy the season together.  

       At this time I want to thank each and every one of you for your visits to my website throughout the year to read my words.   Thank you for your kind comments and your continued encouragement of my writing. 

        I wish each and every one of you a very merry and blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.  May G0d bless you all!  See you January 2013 when I will give you more glimpses into the life of a trucker’s wife and will be back to blogging once again.

Vacation

Today is Day 20 of BlogFest 2012.  Today’s host is Toni from Renee Ashley Williams.  The topic question for today is:

Have you ever returned home from a family vacation and felt more exhausted than when you left?

Me and (and I think?? Sleepy)  1972

     Most vacations my family took revolved around one of my Dad’s loads to the same destination.  We would follow him in our family car, and after he delivered his load he left his truck at a truck stop and we went and enjoyed our vacation together.   Thinking over the past vacations that my family took over the years I can honestly say each and every one I returned home happy and energized from all the wonderful memories that were created.  I loved every minute of it.   Over the years I went to Disney World and Florida 3 times.  Because I was only 3 the first time and 4 the second, I don’t remember much about those trips.  Thanks to home movies, family stories, and photographs my memories have been helped along a bit.  The last time when I went with my parents to Disney World and Epcot were the best because I remember it in vivid detail.  We had a blast.

Me and Minnie Mouse Fall 1986

       I remember one year we followed my Dad’s truck out west.  We vacationed in Colorado visiting tourist attractions like the Denver Mint where I got to see money being made, the house of the unsinkable Molly Brown, ghost towns, Pikes Peak, and the Santa Claus Workshop that lies at the mountain’s base. I remember vividly panning for gold, feeling sick on the summit of Pike’s Peak because I wasn’t used to the elevation, and then throwing up from one end of Santa Claus village to the other.  I was scared Santa wouldn’t come that year because I covered his home with vomit.  Thankfully he did come, and I was relieved!!

       One year my family went and explored the Wisconsin Dells.  We rode the legendary ducks, went on boat tours of the Dells, and seen a futuristic house that was weird.  While we were touring a wax museum a door inside blew open and straw flew everywhere.  We ran outside to discover a tornado heading right for us from down the street.  Instead of taking cover, my mom, dad, and I stood mesmerized watching the tornado destroying everything in its path as it progressed up the street.  Before it reached us it dissipated.  The elevators down to the boat rides were all loaded with people trapped when the power went out.

Me at Kings Island about 1989

        There have been many trips to Nashville, Tennessee, Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Six Flags.  We went on a trip to Mackinac Island and countless trips all over the country where the main objective was to see the Oak Ridge Boys.  For my mom, the Oak Ridge Boys were an attraction that rivaled Mickey Mouse.  I got sunburned swimming in the Gulf of Mexico and sunbathing on the Florida beaches.  When I think back, I have been quite a few places.

On our honeymoon 1997

        When my husband and I married we honeymooned on the Lake Erie islands of Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island.  Since then there have been a few day trips to zoos, museums, and overnight camping but no real vacations.  Unfortunately for me, since my husband is on the road 3-5 weeks at a time, his idea of vacation is coming home until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

AWOL-BFF 206

     I can’t imagine anyone who has ever worked not wanting to go AWOL occasionally.  Maybe the weekend beckons or it is an especially lovely day outside.  In my case, whenever my husband comes home it becomes so easy to go AWOL from my computer.  


  

    I have signed up for NaBloPoMo which challenges me to blog each and every day for the last several months.  Every month the new NaBloPoMo comes out and I am bitten by the writing bug, tempted by the slew of new writing challenges, and I can’t help myself.  I sign up again and then almost as quickly I panic wondering if this month I should have avoided it and taken a break.  Eventually everyone needs one.  It is possible to get burned out writing constantly.

      During the week I post daily without much problem or hesitation.  I might have to wait till late at night for inspiration to bite me in the a$$ but eventually I get the job done even if it is in the final hour.  The weekend arrives and then all of a sudden my diligence starts to lapse.  Add my husband’s arrival home into the mix, and my desire to sit at my computer and create or empty my brains goes right out the window.  I go AWOL from cyber space without a backward glance.  Still there is that tiny shred of guilt that nags at me, reminding me that I have to get it together and write something because I signed up to blog everyday.

        Sometimes life steps in.  Maybe you get sick, or your kids do.  Even though it is rare there is the possibility that I may actually be out having a life with my family instead of glued to my computer typing away.  Maybe a holiday has rolled around and celebrations take precedence.  Whatever the reason, whether it is the arrival of my husband, a holiday, sickness, or just a lovely warm day on the outside the urge to jump ship and go AWOL happens.  Everything in life takes a certain amount of dedication, but every now and then it is healthy to take a break.  It doesn’t mean that you have lost your mojo or you have transformed into a lazy a$$.  Sometimes you just got to get away when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Jump into Vacation!

NaBloPoMo asks:

What is something you would like to jump into if you had more time and or money?

     For me, a person who hasn’t experienced a true vacation since my honeymoon almost 15 years ago, I would like to jump into the car and go on vacation with my husband and my kids.  I have never flown before, so I am a little hesitant to jump onto an airplane, but if money was really no object I would be all for doing that too!


     Where would I go?  There are so many places I would love to go and see that it would be hard to figure out where I would like to start.  I would love to go to all the Disney theme parks in Florida and experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  I am not big on rides but know that these particular places have lots to offer the whole family.  I would love to jump into the ocean and ride the surf up to the beach.  Any beach and ocean would do.  The only ocean I have ever seen or swam in is the Atlantic, and I would love to again.

        If time and money weren’t an issue I would love to fly to England and explore the castles and the picturesque landscapes that I have only seen in pictures.  I would go to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower for myself, and to Venice to ride in a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs at least once.

     I would love to explore the caves of Kentucky, the lakes of Michigan, and the mountains of the west.  I would love to go to Washington DC and immerse myself in the history I would find there.  I guess if you get right down to it, the main answer to this question is if I had more time with my husband and kids and more money I would be jumping into a mode of transportation and going somewhere, anywhere, and seeing the world until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Vacation

      My husband and I haven’t went on a vacation since our honeymoon.  Once we got married and had kids there just never seems to be money for a real vacation.   Bills and other wants and needs always seem to come up and take precedence.  


      We were married at a candlelight service on a Friday night and left immediately following the reception.  We didn’t travel far, but we did choose a location that seemed like it was a world away from where we were from.  We drove to Sandusky, OH and boarded a ferry nearby to Put-In-Bay, Ohio, a small island off the coast.  

        While there we spent the day and night sight seeing, tasting wine at the winery on the island, and cruising about in a golf cart we rented.  Unknown to us, the island was celebrating their own “New Year’s Eve” celebration and everyone except us was three sheets to the moon drunk as skunks.  That was a big surprise considering we got married in September!  We witnessed people passed out spread eagle in open clearings suffering from a little to much fun, and others singing drunkenly and laughing at nothing in particular.  It was a festive atmosphere to say the least, and we thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the island.  People are so funny when they are pie eyed!!

        Late that night we caught the ferry back to the mainland and headed for the hotel we had checked into that morning.  We had gotten our key, left our luggage, and headed for the island.  By the time we returned we were both extremely tired…so tired in fact that we marched into the wrong hotel.  Same hotel chain…wrong hotel.  It didn’t even register until we reached our room and instead of a keyhole we were greeted with one of those fancy dancy locks that require a special card to unlock.

        Needless to say, that was an “Oh $hit” moment of gargantuan proportions!   We panicked and then hauled a$$ and got the hell out of there before we were caught trying to break into someone’s room…giggling all the way.   It sure was a big relief when we located the correct hotel complete with a room door lock that magically opened with the key we had.  

       Day 2 of our honeymoon was spent cruising about the more sedate Kelley’s island in a golf cart.  We had a wonderful time!!  It was the perfect get away. Unfortunately, it was over to soon and we headed home so we could both be at work Monday morning.

        Someday if the fates are kind, we will plan and have the money to take the kids to Disney World.  Until then weekend getaways at local campgrounds will be cherished.  All we need is the almighty hitch for our truck and we will be in the business to be the happiest campers this side of the Great Lakes.  One of these days it will be our turn to go on vacation. One of these times we will have extra money to sock away for that special get away.  I guarantee you, whether it be near or far…it will be enjoyed, treasured, and savored by each and everyone of us!!   Until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.